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Palm Beach Shores Commissioner {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

The commission is the legislative and executive body responsible for the overall governance, growth and general welfare of the town. Commissioners set policy, pass laws and plans, approve the budget and tax rate, oversee town administration and procurement, manage goals and projects, and appoint key officials. Terms are two years; elections are at-large. Annual salary: Unpaid position

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    Paul Bailey
    (N)

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    Anastasia S. Karloutsos
    (N)

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    Tony Lembo
    (N)

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    Steven Smith
    (N)

Biographical Information

What is your municipality's biggest threat and how should they address it?

What is your municipality's greatest strength and how should they build on it?

Whether or not to eliminate or reduce property taxes is being considered by the governor and the Legislature. What services would have to be cut or how would you make up for revenue losses if this goes through? What, in your view, should be done?

The state has launched Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) audits of several counties. Where do you see an opportunity for budget savings in your municipality?

Florida's new homeless law, House Bill 1365, prohibits sleeping or camping in public areas like parks and sidewalks, with exceptions for designated areas with shelter and services. How is your municipality doing in managing the issue under this new law?

Gov. Ron DeSantis' proposal to end real property taxation in Florida is the biggest threat to Palm Beach Shores, (and to all of Florida's local governments.) The Town Board needs to pass a resolution and notify all state-level officials explaining its opposition to this idea, and encourage neighboring municipalities to do the same.
Palm Beach Shores truly is a blessed place. Its ideal living conditions, including weather, community spirit, and the honesty and dedication of its local government are beyond reproach. I do not know how this could be improved upon. Maintaining our community in the condition that it presently is in is probably all any of us could hope for.
This is an enormously difficult question to answer because none of us knows what the eventual tax cut legislation might look like, and the governor is not disclosing any details. But this much is certain: Palm Beach Shores has no business district, and no easy way to make up the revenue loss that such a tax cut will create. Local officials have to impress upon Tallahassee the devastation that even a modest cut in the real property tax will engender.
Palm Beach Shores is wrestling with the idea of hiring a town administrator; an idea that the outgoing mayor is adamantly opposes. The estimated start-up cost for this position is half a million dollars. This probably should not happen without more detailed study and community input.
Palm Beach Shores is located on Singer Island. It is a difficult place for the homeless to reach. In addition, there is little to no public space for the homeless to gather. So this question probably does not apply.
Education MBA Finance -Drexel University, BA International Affairs & Economics-George Washington University, International Baccalaureate Diploma-Suncoast High School
Experience Palm Beach Shores is where I grew up and I'm proud to be raising my 4 children with my husband in my family home. I'm serving my second term on the PBS Planning & Zoning Board. I have also served on several non-profit boards and have over 25 years experience as a small business owner.
Campaign Mailing Address P.O. Box 14612
North Palm Beach, FL 33408
Campaign Phone 215-820-1440
Campaign Email anastasia@karloutsos.com
It's our 75th anniversary and we have a lot to celebrate! Our coastal community has evolved over the years but has kept its small town charm. Development is the biggest challenge we are facing. We are in a stage of change with older homes being renovated or torn down and rebuilt. We welcome new neighbors and strive to balance growth with preserving our natural beauty. We need to review our codes and establish clear parameters to ensure new projects fit our community's vision and maintain the warmth of our neighborly town. It's what makes us the "Best Little Town In Florida!"
Palm Beach Shores is a town where you know your neighbors' names and greet each other in the parkway. We are a community filled with respectful residents who take pride in their community. We offer social and service opportunities through our Property Owners Association, Seasiders and Singer Island Rotary. As a member of all these wonderful organizations, I am excited to work together to grow our engagement and strive to get more residents involved.
Our town leadership has done a good job at maintaining our town's services, infrastructure and beauty. If property taxes are reduced then the homestead and non-homestead rates would have to be reviewed. Increasing building permit fees would be an option as well.
I believe our town's budget is fairly lean but there is always room for improvement. I respect our residence and want to make government more efficient and transparent.
We have a dynamic police department that is part of our community, they take the time to know the residents. They follow the homeless intervention protocol and offer services to those in need. I lead my church outreach ministry and work with local nonprofits to help feed and clothe the homeless. I see first hand the need of increased mental health services and shelter in our county.
Education BA Business Administration
Experience Director of Sales, Hisense USA, • Palm Beach Shores Planning & Zoning Commission • Knights of Columbus member and Eucharistic Minister • Former Board Member, Max Fisher Boys & Girls Club and Wyckoff, NJ Recreation Commission • Former ambulance corps member, and youth sports coach
Endorsements NorthPAC, the political action committee affiliated with the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce
Campaign Phone 201-637-9106
Campaign Email abl662@aol.com
Preserving Small-Town Character vs. Development. Continue to limit building height and density to protect the town's "Old Florida" feel and prevent overdevelopment.
Palm Beach Shores’ greatest strength is its close-knit community combined with thoughtful local governance. Residents are engaged, care deeply about their town, and actively participate in civic life, which helps preserve the character, safety, and quality of life that make the community special.

This strong community spirit, paired with responsible planning and stewardship of a unique barrier-island environment, allows Palm Beach Shores to balance progress with preservation and remains a desirable place to live, work, and visit.
The town would need to explore a balanced mix of alternatives, including:

Careful use of reserves, only as a short-term bridge

User fees and service fees, applied fairly and transparently

Tightening budgets and prioritizing spending without compromising core services
PBS already operates with a relatively lean budget, but there are still opportunities to improve efficiency without reducing essential services. As a small town, Palm Beach Shores can continue to evaluate partnerships with neighboring municipalities, Palm Beach County, and special districts for services. Another area is regular review of vendor contracts and operating expenses to ensure the town is receiving competitive pricing and measurable performance. Long-term planning and preventive investments in infrastructure, drainage, and equipment can reduce costly emergency repairs. Smart planning, transparency, and accountability are the most effective ways to achieve savings while protecting the high level of service residents except.
No large encampments or visible public camping have developed here, in part because of the town’s size, geography, and existing low levels of unsheltered homelessness. The Town Commission, staff, and local partners have been monitoring the implementation of the law and coordinating with County and nonprofit partners to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with services rather than having them remain in public spaces. With limited local shelter capacity, the focus has been on prevention, outreach, and referrals to regional resources rather than enforcement alone. Using outreach teams to engage individuals, inform them about services, and encourage utilization of shelters and support programs.
Education Tarpon Spings High School, Pinellas County Technical College
Experience Planning and Zoning Board, Town of Palm Beach Shores, Commissioner, Town of Palm Beach Shores, FL
Campaign Phone 7274157963
Campaign Email ssmith@pbstownhall.org
As a small coastal community, our greatest challenge is overdevelopment. Achieving balanced, sustainable growth—while respecting property owners’ rights and privacy—remains an ongoing responsibility.

Our town, long known as “The Best Little Town in Florida,” has earned that reputation by preserving its character as a low-density coastal community. Residents consistently express a desire to maintain this identity rather than pursue unchecked growth. Moving forward, the appropriate balance lies in continuing to limit overdevelopment while also maintaining and protecting our legacy structures. This approach ensures thoughtful growth that honors our community’s history, safeguards its quality of life, and preserves its unique coastal character
Our community’s greatest strength lies in its natural beauty and exceptional location, surrounded by the Intracoastal Waterway, the Palm Beach Inlet, and the Atlantic Ocean. Our pristine beaches, waterfront parks, walking trails, marinas, and local restaurants create a truly unique coastal environment.

Equally important are the people who call this town home. It is the combination of these natural assets and a strong, engaged community that makes our town not only distinctive, but truly special.
As a small town that relies heavily on ad valorem property taxes, these revenues are essential to maintaining life-safety services for our residents, including fire protection, law enforcement, and lifeguard services, as well as sustaining and upgrading our aging infrastructure.

Replacing this lost revenue would be extremely difficult for a fully developed, primarily residential community. Any reliance on state funding would present additional challenges, as the allocation process often places smaller municipalities at a disadvantage.

Local property taxes remain critical to ensuring reliable public safety services and the continued maintenance of the infrastructure that supports our community’s quality of life.
The goal of reducing bureaucracy, eliminating redundancy, and minimizing waste—principles that should be part of normal government operations at every level.

While some municipalities may struggle with inefficiency or administrative bloat, our town operates in an extremely efficient and cost-effective manner. Our Mayor, Town Commissioners, and Planning and Zoning Board members all serve in 100 percent volunteer roles, demonstrating a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility and public service.

This structure allows our town to focus resources where they matter most—delivering essential services to residents while maintaining responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds.
In coordination with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, our town’s officers are properly trained in homeless services and diversion programs that are available within the county. Our approach emphasizes proactive intervention, appropriate referrals, and connecting individuals to supportive resources whenever possible. We are proud of the professionalism, compassion, and effectiveness demonstrated by our law enforcement officers in addressing these situations while maintaining public safety and community standards.